Eighty species of terrestrial gastropods were found in five beech forests in Poland: in two forests of W. Pomeranian Lakeland 36 species, in Wielkopolska 30 species, in Carpathian beech forests of the Pieniny Mts 49 species and in the Beskid Niski Mts 26 species. The mean density in the beech forests in the Pieniny, Beskid Niski, Wielkopolska, acid and rich beechwood of W. Pomeranian Lakeland was 185, 86, 36, 36 and 10 indiv. m^–2, respectively. Dominant species in the Pieniny and Beskid Niski were Aegopinella pura (Alder), Carychium tridentatum (Risso), and in the lowland forests Discus rotundatus (O.F. Müller) and Aegopinella nitidula (Draparnaud). European elements and forest species dominated in such habitats. Montane beech forests showed a higher species diversity compared to lowland forests. The Carpathian beech forest in the Pieniny Mts had the highest mean density, number of species and species diversity. Aegopinella pura, Vitrea crystallina (O.F. Müller), Discus rotundatus and Cochlodina laminata (Montagu) can be regarded as indicator species of beech forests.